Pa. Priest Luis Bonilla Margarito Impregnated Teen, Says Suit

By: Caroline Black
Topics: Daily Blotter

Rev. Luis Bonilla Margarito (AP)

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (CBS/AP) A 41-year-old priest who was allegedly caught on videotape having sexual relations with one of his 18-year-old female students now stands accused of fathering the young girl's baby.

The parents of the high school senior suspected Rev. Luis Bonilla Margarito, an ex-chaplain at Reading Central Catholic High School, and their daughter were having sex in the basement of their home.

They decided to take legal action after they say a hidden video camera recorded a sexual encounter between the couple in November 2009 confirmed their suspicions.

The lawsuit, which was filed Thursday, claims that the relationship between Bonilla and the teen, who now appear to be living together, began during her senior year at Reading Central Catholic High School.

The suit says, Bonilla "began to groom [the teen] for a sexual relationship" despite the fact that he knew she suffered from mental health issues, was previously sexually abused by an adult man, and was "susceptible to being manipulated."

He took steps to alienate the teen from her parents by telling her that she was 18 and no longer had to obey them, the suit claims.

The parents suspected the behavior and reported their concerns to administrators at Central Catholic who reportedly dismissed their suspicions and said that "nothing could be done to separate [the teen] and Father Bonilla because he was her spiritual advisor and/or counselor.

The suit names as defendants Bonilla, the diocese, the high school, Allentown Bishop John Barres, and former Bishop Edward Cullen.

The parents' concerns were acknowledged by the Diocese of Allentown who removed Bonilla from his post as chaplain and pastor of St. Joseph Church and sent him to a treatment facility; however, it was during this time that they claim Bonilla impregnated his former student.

According to the maintenance man at the couple's apartment complex, the teenager had a baby girl six weeks ago.

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by bingbong22 September 1, 2010 11:39 PM EDT: You know this is made up....right....number one; the "victim" is a girl....c'mon a priest and a girl??? two.......Well numer one pretty much says it all...oh wait.. the "girl" was "18".....no priest is gonna touch anything over 16.; Reply to this comment


by tmsaurman August 31, 2010 9:35 AM EDT: Okay, that man was in a position of authority over that girl, so this is a case of abuse of power. I am not trying to take away from this case but look at this:

"The suit names as defendants Bonilla, the diocese, the high school, Allentown Bishop John Barres, and former Bishop Edward Cullen."
Seriously?!??!! The Bishops name is really Edward Cullen? Or is somone in CBSNEWS trying to see if we are all awake? LOL So the Bishop is a gay sparkly vamp. HAHAHA; Reply to this comment

by SlimSepia August 31, 2010 8:53 AM EDT

I tell you, Muslims are really dangerous.

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by hologram5 August 31, 2010 9:57 AM EDT: Excuse me? Where did that come from? Did you not take your meds today?


by MalloryDavis August 31, 2010 2:18 AM EDT: The priest was correct...at 18 years old the parents need to back off. How sick was it to video tape their own daughter having sex just to prove a point.; Reply to this comment


by surfinlebird August 30, 2010 9:52 PM EDT: A 41-year-old man, 18 year-old woman and a baby? When mom and dad get their huge settlement check paid by faithful, working Catholics, they'll raise the baby and the man's life will go to hell.
Hey, I'm a profit, er, I mean prophet.; Reply to this comment

by LizzieEDRN August 30, 2010 5:54 PM EDT

What was he doing in their basement? Would they let her down there with a man her own age? Did the parents think this was the first time? Obviously it wasn't if they had suspected this. What is the 18 year old doing with the 41 year old? Perhaps this wasn't the first for either?
At least he wasn't molesting a kid.

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by OldProfessor August 30, 2010 6:12 PM EDT: I think you are missing the point of the "spiritual advisor" being a sexual predator.


by luvtocooke August 30, 2010 7:02 PM EDT: Did you not read the article Lizzie?? The parents suspected something was going on. I am sure they did not approve nor invite him, the daughter did that part. And I am sure denied everything when asked, hence the hidden camera. This was the only way to get at the truth. I say good for the parents!